Quality Control Technician

Description

The Quality Control Technician is responsible for completing precise raw whole squid and prepared calamari product quality assessments, data entry, daily plant inspections, and equipment sanitation and calibration accuracy checks. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reporting quality and policy deviations, operating a fryer for calamari taste tests, and providing real-time feedback to the Operations team during in-line quality checks and boat unloading. Specific day-to-day activities depend on boat arrivals and catch volumes (hails). 

Responsibilities for this position include (but are not limited to):

• Complete daily pre-Operational (pre-op) sanitation plant inspections, environmental swabbing, and paperwork for the interior and exterior of the plant, communicate corrective actions to the Operations team leadership immediately, and verify the assigned corrective actions were done in the agreed-upon timeframe
• Complete cooler checks and associated paperwork twice per day and report any deviations immediately
• Sample and grade raw whole squid during processing and boat unloading against specifications, such as external quality, internal quality, appearance, aroma, texture, count per pound, weight, length, width, and others as needed
• Upload photographs of raw whole squid samples, enter all quality data to assigned computer location, and report results to assigned individuals the same day as the evaluation 
• Conduct daily calibration accuracy checks for equipment such as thermometers and scales and report any deviations immediately
• Perform quality control assessments of prepared calamari products against specifications, such as appearance, aroma, texture, taste, count per pound, net weight, glaze percent, size, and defects
• Upload photographs of prepared calamari samples, enter all quality data to assigned computer location, and report results to assigned individuals the same day as the evaluation 
• Check in-line samples and rework against specifications and report status to Operations immediately
• Fulfill sales samples requests by picking orders, packing them appropriately for the product and outside temperature, and arranging shipping and pick-up as needed
• Clean and sanitize work stations to standard regularly 
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Ideal candidate will have:

• Associates degree in a science curriculum or work equivalent 
• Prior experience in a quality control role, food industry experience preferred.
• Self-starter with organized and detailed work habits and excellent time management skills
• Driven to work collaboratively with a preventative mindset.
• Attention to detail. 
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks
• Ability to be seafood HACCP certified 
• Available to work a set 5-day schedule in Narragansett with opportunity for rotating on-call overtime as needed 
• Ability to travel to New Bedford for a set rotating on-call summer schedule as needed
• Proficient math skills
• Proficient computer skills including MS Office, especially Excel
• Physical abilities: climb ladders to inspect equipment, lift 30 lbs., and stand for long periods of time in cool temperatures and wet manufacturing environments
• Flexibility in planning to accommodate the quick changes in seafood production
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) in English required, Spanish a plus
• A strong belief and commitment to continuous learning and improvement, positive attitude, teamwork, accountability and ethical behavior.